Dehavilland DHC-2T accident near Petersville, Alaska, July 13, 2024
On July 13, 2024 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1967 Dehavilland DHC-2T, registered N535KT, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Petersville, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight loss of thrust due to an uncommanded feathering of the propeller for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2024 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Petersville, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Dehavilland DHC-2T, built 1967 · all DHC-2Ts on the register
- Registration
- N535KT · registry record · serial 1665-TB37
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting an air tour flight when the airplane’s propeller rpm decreased and the propeller subsequently stopped producing noticeable thrust. The pilot cycled the propeller but the propeller rpm continued to decrease.. The pilot performed a forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no mechanical issues with the airplane other than the loss of propeller pitch control and subsequent loss of thrust. Postaccident examination and testing of the propeller and overspeed governors revealed that they performed within their respective manufacturer’s specifications, and no abnormalities were observed that would have prevented normal operation. The engine was completely disassembled and all damage noted was consistent with impact. The cause of the propeller rpm becoming uncontrollable could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller controlling system › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,030 hours in all; 84 in this make and model; 127 in the last 90 days; 53 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 12, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,234.5 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 5, 2024; 10.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W Canada PT6A-34 (turboprop); 5,219 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TKA Talkeetna AK
- Destination: TKA Talkeetna AK
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from PATK, 31 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PATK 130053Z 28003KT 10SM OVC050 17/08 A2984 RMK AO2 RAE15B34E52 SLP109 P0000 T01720083
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 8 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on February 11, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25-049 Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Wreckage Examination | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Component Examinations | PDF, 31 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Party Representative (Hartzell) | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.